Circus elephants being abused?

Tuesday

When the Carson and Barnes Circus rolls into Kirksville on June 28, it will be accompanied by clowns, trained animals, the big top -- and controversy.

When the Carson and Barnes Circus rolls into Kirksville on June 28, it will be accompanied by clowns, trained animals, the big top -- and controversy.

An ongoing dispute with a national animal-rights group regarding the treatment of the circus' elephants has surfaced before the first performance.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to the Adair County Commission last week urging them to enact ordinances banning bullhooks, electric prods and other devices used on elephants.

PETA's letter was accompanied by a videotape depicting Carson and Barnes animal care director Tim Frisco using a bullhook while training elephants.

"Sink that hook into 'em," Frisco said in the video. "When you hear that screaming, you know you got their attention."

At another point in the video, Frisco tells trainers not to come into the barn if they are afraid of hurting the elephants, adding they can't use these methods in public.

"You can't do it on the road," he said. "I'm not going to touch her in front of a thousand people."

The video is available online at www.circuses.com.

Jennifer Johnson, a spokeswoman for Carson and Barnes Circus, confirmed Frisco is in the video but said it was shot more than four years ago, adding it was severely edited and spliced together. She said PETA sends out the same news release and letter to commissioners in every town to which the circus travels in an effort to generate donations.

"PETA lies about what we do," Johnson said. "In 71 years of Carson and Barnes Circus, we have never been found in violation of animal protection laws."

In the letter sent to the commissioners, PETA claims the video resulted in a $400 fine for mishandling the elephants. But Johnson said the $400 was a settlement with the USDA, not a fine, and the circus was never found guilty of any formal charge.

While Johnson denies the circus uses electric prods, she defended the use of bullhooks, likening them to a leash or a bridle.

"The bullhook has been a tool used in elephant training for centuries," she said. "It's not used to inflict pain and punishment. It is quite a legitimate part of their training. There is nothing sinister about it."

"Bullhooks are cruel tools of the circus trade that are routinely used to beat elephants into submission," she said. "The County Commission must send circuses the message that these instruments of torture will not be permitted in Adair County."

Adair County presiding Commissioner Gary Jones said the commission received the letter and video June 25. While they did view the video, Jones said the commission has no plans to further investigate the matter or discuss any ordinances regarding elephant training techniques.

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